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from 5280 Magazine, February 2003 By Janna Graber Every year it’s the same old challenge: How do you make this Valentine’s Day a time that your sweetheart will treasure? Sure, that romantic dinner for two is always a hit. But this year, why not plan something really daring? Head south for a dreamy Valentine’s getaway.
Yet there is more to this town than just its good looks. With a population of 465,000, the Springs has a top thriving arts scene and a culture all its own. Ballet, theatre, and dance companies perform at the Pikes Peak Center, and the city’s Fine Arts Center features an extensive collection of Native American and Hispanic Art, a reflection of the area’s fascinating past. The Ute, Cheyenne and Kiowa Indians were the first to call this area home. Then in 1871, William Jackson Palmer founded the town of Colorado Springs and the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad. The rest, as they say, is history. Today the town claims it is “as Colorado as it gets”, and
that assertion has some truth. Nature has looked kindly on the Springs,
bestowing assets like the Cave of the Winds and Seven Falls, a 180 foot
waterfall in South Cheyenne Canon, just minutes from downtown. Yet the city’s crown jewel is something Denver has never been able to top: the Broadmoor Hotel. As one of the few five-star resorts in Colorado, guests receive a decadent amount of pampering, with luxurious rooms, exquisite service and surroundings so grand that you’ll feel like royalty (or at least as close to royalty as an American can ever feel). These stunning rooms and views have been the setting for many romantic holidays over the past 90 years. Yet strangely enough, the Broadmoor first came into the world as a gambling casino back in 1890. (Tunnels running under the hotel today offer proof of the casino’s sordid past: the passages led to nearby brothels.) When the casino floundered, Philadelphia businessman Spencer Penrose bought the property with dreams of creating the most beautiful resort in the world. Importing artisans and designers from Europe, he fashioned an elegant hotel that opened in 1918. Within months, guests from all over the globe were coming to visit this grand oasis in the Rockies. Penrose was a passionate man with vision for what Colorado Springs could become – and we still benefit from his work today. In addition to building his dream resort, he founded the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, developed the Pikes Peak Road, and modernized the Cog Railway. He is buried on the hills near the hotel, along with his wife, business partner, and, quite appropriately, his accountant. Since those days, the resort has grown to the size of a small city, encompassing over 3,000 acres and 11 buildings. This Grande Dame of the Rockies, which recently completed a $75 million restoration, includes three golf courses, a world-class spa (just perfect for that couple’s massage you were planning), nine tennis courts and several pools. And if that’s not enough to keep you busy, you can dine at one of the hotel’s ten restaurants or catch a movie in the resort’s own theater. Dress for several of the restaurants is formal (coat and tie required), so be sure to pack that elegant attire. The Broadmoor has a desirable location around Cheyenne Lake at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain. Looking at the serene alpine scene from the hotel, one would never guess that the mountain plays a vital role in American security. Deep beneath the rocky surface is the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, home to NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) and three other command centers. The operations in the manmade cavern coordinate a worldwide system of satellites, radars, and sensors that provide early warning of any threat to North America. While you’ll most likely never be invited to visit these top-secret facilities, you can catch a glimpse of our nation’s brightest at the Air Force Academy, which is just a fifteen-minute drive from the Broadmoor. And while you’re out and about, why not take advantage of the natural wonders the city has to offer? Even in the winter, the Garden of the Gods is a beautiful place to hike or stroll through the towering sandstone rock formations. There is no cost to get into the park, and well-marked paths wander all over the area. The most dramatic view in the Springs, however, can be found at the top of Pikes Peak. It was this vista that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to pen the words to “America, the Beautiful” in 1893. You can drive up Pikes Peak, but the most historic way to climb the mountain is via the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which was built in 1891. The ascent climbs from the Manitou Springs depot to the 14,110’ peak in just an hour, and the ride offers amazing views. Here on Pikes Peak, at the very top of Colorado, you and your darling will be surrounded by one of the finest panoramas in the state. What could be more romantic than that? Best of all, it took you only an hour’s drive and $3 in gas to get here. If you go: The Broadmoor Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau PH: 800-888-4748 Pikes Peak Cog Railway Reservations Advised $26 adults/$14 children 3-11 Open April to December PH: 719-685-5401 Email: info@cograilway.com http://www.cograilway.com Garden of the Gods Visitor Center & Natural History Museum Cave of the Winds Seven Falls Sidebar #2 If you’re not into the formality of The Broadmoor, but still like to enjoy Colorado-style luxury, check out the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Just minutes from the Broadmoor, the Cheyenne Mountain Resort has a superb location on its own lake. Guests have access to the upscale Country Club of Colorado, which includes swimming pools, a spa, fitness center, tennis courts, and a championship golf course. Valentine’s packages, including a Mountain View room, full dinner and breakfast buffet, are available at $199 per couple. Cheyenne Mountain Resort 3225 Broadmoor Valley Rd. http://www.cheyennemountain.com BIO: Janna Graber is a Colorado native and freelance writer who has a passion for exploring the world – including her own backyard. © Janna Graber 2003 |
